Navigating the corporate landscape can still be quite a challenge for women—just ask any female employee sharing an office with her male counterparts. Despite it being the year 2023, research continues to reveal that sexism remains entrenched in workplaces across the globe.
Fortunately, there’s a useful resource that equips women with strategies to tackle common forms of workplace sexism. A series of comics created by Jenna Brooks, a former corporate employee turned comedian, presents nine “non-threatening” approaches women can adopt in their leadership styles. The aim? To ensure that the men around them feel comfortable, even when they suspect that the woman in the next cubicle might just be as competent as they are.
As Jenna aptly notes on her website, “In the fast-paced world of business, female leaders must navigate perceptions and avoid coming across as pushy, aggressive, or even competent. Adjusting one’s leadership style to accommodate the sometimes delicate male ego can be essential.”
While the comics are meant to be humorous, the underlying truths they convey are what makes them resonate. “The scenarios are drawn from my own experiences, as well as tales from friends and colleagues,” Jenna shared with us. “These situations—like downplaying your ideas or being overly polite in communication—are things every woman faces.”
Despite the humor, Jenna found them challenging to create, largely due to their truthful representation of the workplace. “Just the other day, I overheard a woman start a question with ‘Sorry for my ignorance…’—it was cringeworthy,” she recounted. “I wanted to ensure the comics didn’t come off as mocking women; instead, they highlight the absurdity of needing to alter our behavior to appear less intimidating.”
Ideally, women should not have to worry about being perceived as too assertive or competent in their roles. However, this reality persists. Even Jenna admits to struggling with adjusting her behavior to be more palatable for fragile male egos. “Unfortunately, I’ve found myself doing this far too often,” she confessed.
For all the working women out there, Jenna’s comics serve as a guide for what not to do in the workplace. We should be empowered to excel in our careers, irrespective of what anyone else, male or otherwise, thinks. But when things get tough, Jenna offers a catch-all strategy to dodge that annoying sexism: stay true to yourself.
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In summary, while the corporate world continues to present challenges for women, resources like Jenna’s comics can provide both humor and insight on navigating workplace sexism. The key takeaway? Stay authentic and confident in your abilities.